Srinagar: Surge in COVID-19 cases in schools has left the parents worried. They are asking why lives of small children are being put at stake.
A parent while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Everyone is aware of the fact that second wave has arrived in Kashmir and number of people getting infected with each passing day is increasing.”
He said, “Why can’t schools return to online education mode. The schools can reopen after children get vaccinated.”
Another parent said, “It seems that keeping schools open has become a prestige issue. If it’s so then it’s very unfortunate. Children cannot be put at the risk to create a notion that everything is normal despite spike in COVID-19 cases.”
A principal of a private school said, “We cannot closedown the schools on our own as the orders to open the educational institutions were issued by the government. Its helmsmen, who have take a call. Not the private school owners.”
He said, “Keeping schools open amidst the surge in COVID cases is risky. It’s very difficult to make children understand that they have to follow the SOPs. If the government wants to keep the schools open then it should get the children vaccinated at the earliest.”
A parent said, “Private schools should provide an option of online and offline classes to the students. Ones who want to come can attend and the ones who don’t want to take a risk can opt for online education.”
He said, “During the COVID second wave European countries had immediately shift to online mode of education to keep the children safe. One fails to understand what’s stopping the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir from taking a decision.”
Many parents said that they have stopped sending their children to schools after the spike in COVID cases. “At present many children are not either getting online education nor are they attending offline classes,” they said.
An official said, “We have already given the option for mode of classes to the schools. Now, it’s for them to decide how they want to move on. The feedback is being sought from Deputy Commissioners about the functioning of schools. Students getting infected is a cause of concern. Preventive measures will be put in place.”
Allow students to choose offline, online option for classes, demand parents
